Title: THE GOOD GUY
Publisher: Harper
Author: Dean Koontz
Edition released: 2007
ISBN: 978-0-00-722660-3
456 pages
Reviewed by: Adam Donnison

Sitting in your favourite bar, trading sarcastic commentaries on life with the barman, you don't expect to find yourself being mistaken first for a hired killer and in a matter of minutes for the killer's client. Tim Carrier was just having a bit of a lark when the odd man started chatting, but by the time he realised that the man had mistaken him for a killer, he had left with Tim holding an envelope with $10,000 and a picture of the mark. Minutes later the killer then mistakes Tim for his client, and Tim tries to persuade him that the job is off - even giving the killer the money as compensation for wasted time.

Tim then finds Linda Paquette, the intended victim, and tries to warn her, only to find that the killer doesn't take no for an answer and Tim and Linda are set on the run from a man who has far too much information at his fingertips than is healthy.

Koontz does action well. Which is just as well. THE GOOD GUY could use a believable story line as well. Or maybe even just a little less of the formulaic elements like pretty girl in distress, "ah shucks" quiet hero with a history, jingoism, conspiracy lurking in the background, and what is it with American thrillers and cars? Why does the girl have to have a memorable car?

The start is unbelievable. The villain is unbelievable. The ending is painful. The plot predictable. But for all that if you lose yourself in the action it can be a bit of fun.